LEESBURG, Va., April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- SkillsUSA announced
today that it has chosen John E.
McGlade, chairman, president and chief executive officer of
Air Products, to be the recipient of the inaugural SkillsUSA CEO
Champion of the Year award.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit that strives to provide a
quality workforce in trade, technical and skilled service
occupations with 13,000 chapters in 54 state and territorial
associations.
The CEO Champion award will be given each year to recognize the
leadership of the chief executive of an organization doing
exemplary work in the creation and support of America's highly
skilled workforce. The award will also recognize CEOs for their
corporation's involvement in promoting and supporting career and
technical education.
Under McGlade's leadership, Air Products has integrated support
for SkillsUSA in a number of ways with employees from around the
country serving on technical committees for the SkillsUSA
Championships, and on task forces and boards of state and local
SkillsUSA chapters in California,
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Texas. Air Products' employees are active in
judging local, state and national student competitions, and with
the SkillsUSA Youth Development Foundation. The company provides
financial support for SkillsUSA initiatives such as the
Professional Development Program, and is helping SkillsUSA build
its national network through support of the Alumni & Friends
Association. Yet another form of support from Air Products has been
the best practice guidebook developed by employees to help the
organization better forge business/education partnerships with
career and technical schools around the country.
"The changing needs of the workforce call for a creative and
hands-on approach to ensure that our country has a pipeline of
talented employees with the necessary technical skills and work
ethic," said McGlade. "That's why our support of SkillsUSA is so
important. We believe in keeping America's workforce educated,
trained and growing, and that means in all disciplines. SkillsUSA
helps us reach toward that goal."
"John's passion for SkillsUSA is evident through his and so many
Air Products employees' commitment to the program. His education,
career and leadership make him a great role model for career and
technical education students," said Tim
Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA. "He is proof that
today's young American skilled workforce can be tomorrow's
corporate leaders."
A native of Bethlehem, Pa.,
McGlade graduated from Liberty High
School and took classes in civil engineering technology at
the Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School during his
sophomore, junior and senior years. He is a graduate of
Lehigh University in Bethlehem, where he earned a B.S. degree in
industrial engineering in 1976 and an M.B.A. in 1980.
McGlade joined Air Products in 1976 in the company's Career
Development Program and held increasingly responsible management
positions. He became president and chief operating officer in 2007
and was named chairman of the board in 2008.
The CEO Champion of the Year award ceremony will take place
Oct. 18, 2010 in the Grand Ballroom
of the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New
York.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry
working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It
helps each student excel. The nationwide organization serves more
than 300,000 high school, college and postsecondary students -- and
their instructors -- in training programs in technical, skilled,
and service occupations, including health occupations. SkillsUSA
has the active support of more than 1,100 corporations, trade
associations, business and labor unions at the national level. Over
9.9 million people have been members of SkillsUSA since its
founding as The Vocational Industrial Clubs of America in 1965.
SkillsUSA instructional programs teach leadership, citizenship and
character development to complement technical skill training. The
association emphasizes respect for the dignity of work, ethics,
workmanship, scholarship and safety. For more information, go to
www.skillsusa.org.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy,
technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio
of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance
materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940,
Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets
such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare
services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and
adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture,
operational excellence and commitment to safety and the
environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of
$8.3 billion, operations in over 40
countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more
information, visit www.airproducts.com.
SOURCE SkillsUSA